This week, Konami surprised classic RPG fans with a Suikoden-focused livestream, a welcome event given the franchise's long hiatus since a Japan-only PSP release over a decade ago. The announcements were a mixed bag: a Suikoden anime and a new mobile game, Suikoden: Star Leap, complete with gacha mechanics.
First, the anime, simply titled Suikoden: The Anime, adapts the events of Suikoden II. This marks Konami's first animation production. While details are scarce, including international availability, a brief scenic preview was shown:
This is exciting news for longtime fans and potentially a great entry point for newcomers, assuming broad distribution.
The second announcement, Suikoden: Star Leap, is generating more complex reactions. Boasting beautiful Octopath Traveler-esque visuals—2D sprites on 3D backgrounds—and the series' signature 108 characters, the game is set chronologically between Suikoden I and Suikoden V.
However, its mobile-only release and inclusion of gacha mechanics and monetization are causing concern. This departure from the series' history of premium console and PC releases raises questions about the impact on gameplay and the ability to collect all 108 characters.
Meanwhile, fans can enjoy the Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, which received a new trailer during the livestream and launches March 6th.
